The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

BooK II. ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. 195
image; so it is of the works of God, which do j gems." And it is no more unlawful to inquire
show the omnipotency and wisdom of the maker, the nature of evil spirits, than to inquire the force
but not his image; and therefore therein the X of poisons in nature, or the nature of sin and vice
heathen opinion differeth fiom the sacred truth: in morality. But this part touching angels and
for they supposed the world to be the image of spirits I cannot note as deficient, for many have
God, and man to be an extract or compendious occupied themselves in it; I may rather challenge
image of the world; but the Scriptures never it, in many of the writers thereof, as fabulous and
vouchsafe to attribute to the world that honour, fantastical.
as to be the image of God, but only the work of Leaving therefore divine philosophy or natuhis hands; neither do they speak of any other ral theology (not divinity or inspired theology,
image of God, but man: wherefore by the con- which we reserve for the last of all, as the haven
templation of nature to induce and enforce the ac- and sabbath of all man's contemplations) we will
knowledgment of God, and to demonstrate his now proceed to Natural Philosophy.
power, providence, and goodness, is an excellent If then it be true that Democritus said, "That
argument, and bath been excellently handled by the truth of nature lieth hid in certain deep mines
divers. and caves:" and if it be true likewise that the alBut on the other side, out of the contemplation chymists do so much inculcate, that Vulcan is a
of nature, or ground of human knowledge, to in- second nature, and imitateth that dexterously and
duce any verity or persuasion concerning the compendiously, which nature worketh by ambages
points of faith, is in my judgment not safe: ", Da and length of time, it were good to divide natural
fi.lei, quae fidei sunt." For the heathen them- philosophy into the mine and furnace; and to make
selves conclude as much, in that excellent and di- two professions or occupations of natural philosovine fable of the golden chain: "That men and phers, some to be pioneers and some smiths;
gods were not able to draw Jupiter down to earth; some to dig, and some to refine and hammer; and
but contrariwise, Jupiter was able to draw them surely I do best allow of a division of that kind,
up to heaven." though in more familiar and scholastical terms;
So as we ought not attempt to draw down or namely, that these be the two parts of natural
submit the mysteries of God to our reason; but philosophy,-the inquisition of causes, and the
contrariwise to raise and advance our reason to production of effects; speculative and operative,
the divine truth. So as in this part of knowledge, natural science, and natural prudence. For as in
touching divine philosophy, I am so far from civil matters there is a wisdom of discourse, and
noting any deficience, as I rather note an excess: a wisdom of direction; so is it in natural. And
whereunto I have digressed; because of the ex- here I will make a request, that for the latter, or
treme prejudice which both religion and philoso- at least for a part thereof, I may revive and reinphy have received and may receive, by being tegrate the misapplied and abused name of Natucommixed together; as that which undoubtedly ral Magic; which in the true sense is but natural
will make an heretical religion, and an imaginary wisdom, or natural prudence; taken according to
and fabulous philosophy. the ancient acceptation, purged from vanity and
Otherwise it is of the nature of angels and superstition. Now although it be true, and I
spirits, which is an appendix of theology, both know it well, that there is an intercourse between
divine and natural, and is neither inscrutable nor causes and effects, so as both these knowledges,
interdicted; for although the Scripture saith, ", Let speculative and operative, have a great connection
no man deceive you in sublime discourse touching between themselves; yet because all true and
the worship of angels, pressing into that he fruitful natural philosophy hath a double scale or
knoweth not," &c. yet, notwithstanding, if you ladder ascendant and descendent; ascending from
observe well that precept it may appear thereby experiments to the invention of causes, and dethat there be two things only forbidden, adoration scending from causes to the invention of new exof them, and opinion fantastical of them.; either periments; therefore I judge it mostrequisite that
to extol them farther than appertaineth to the de- thesetwopartsbe severallyconsideredand handled.
gree of a creature, or to extol a man's knowledge Natural Science or Theory is divided into Phyof them farther than he hath ground. But the sic and Metaphysic; wherein I desire it may
sober and grounded inquiry, which may arise out be conceived that I use the word metaphysic in a
of the passages of Holy Scriptures, or out of the differing sense from that that is received: and in
gradations of nature, is not restrained. So of like manner, I doubt not but it will easily appear
degenerate and revolted spirits, the conversing to men of judgment, that in this and qther particuwith them or the employment of them is prohibit- lars, wheresoever my conception and notion may
ed, much.more any veneration towards them; differ from the ancient, yet I am studious to keep
but the contemplation or science of their nature, the ancient terms. For boping well to deliver
their power, their illusions, either by Scripture or myself from mistaking, ny the order and perspi.
reason, is a part of spiritual wisdom. For so the cuous expressing of that I do propound: I am.
apostle saith, " We are not ignorant of his strata- otherwise zealous and affectionate to recede as